School of Journalism & Media

Thatcher, Durben Selected for 2025 Carnegie-Knight News21 Project

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Juniors Gracyn Thatcher and Alexa Durben, both journalism and media majors, will represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this summer at the 2025 Carnegie-Knight News21 Fellowship at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Two School of Journalism and Media students have been selected to participate in a prestigious national reporting initiative this summer.

Juniors Gracyn Thatcher and Alexa Durben, both journalism and media majors, will represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this summer at the 2025 Carnegie-Knight News21 Fellowship at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.… Read more “Thatcher, Durben Selected for 2025 Carnegie-Knight News21 Project”

The Election Project, Student Journalists Win Big at 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference

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Students in the School of Journalism and Media earned several awards for their reporting coverage including Best Public Service Journalism for The Election Project and Best TV Station at the 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference

The Election Project won “Best in the South” in public service journalism at the 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC).

A collaborative reporting initiative between the School of Journalism and Media and The Media Center at the College of Communication and Information, the Election Project gave students invaluable hands-on experience in election reporting while also educating the public on the 2024 presidential election and other civics topics.… Read more “The Election Project, Student Journalists Win Big at 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference”

Alumnus’ Paralympic Coverage Earns Top 10 Spot in Hearst Journalism Awards Competition

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School of Journalism and Media alumnus Lukas Vysniauskas’ (‘24) with US Paralympian Carson Clough in Paris.

School of Journalism and Media alumnus Lukas Vysniauskas’ (‘24) reporting on US Paralympian Carson Clough at the 2024 Paralympic Games has been recognized by the Hearst Journalism Awards Program.

Vysniauskas finished ninth in the 2024-25 Hearst Multimedia Narrative Video Storytelling Competition.

The Hearst Journalism Awards is a nationally recognized program that honors colleges and students that produce exceptional work in the field of journalism and media. Winners in the multimedia narrative video storytelling competition were selected from 81 entries submitted by 47 schools in … Read more “Alumnus’ Paralympic Coverage Earns Top 10 Spot in Hearst Journalism Awards Competition”

Alumna Goes Viral for Coverage of LA Wildfires

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When Ashley Sharp (‘18) learned about the 2016 Great Smoky Mountain wildfires, she wanted to help.

She knew WBIR Channel 10 News would need assistance covering this tragedy, so she requested to be excused from Professor Sam Swan’s class to join their team. The journalism and media student at the time worked part-time for the television station as an editor and photographer and wanted to contribute her efforts to report on what many locals remember now as the Gatlinburg wildfires.

“He looked at me and said, ‘This is more important than being in class.’,” Sharp said. “It’s funny to kind … Read more “Alumna Goes Viral for Coverage of LA Wildfires”

Journalism and Media Student Pierce Gentry Places Second in Hearst Audio Competition

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Journalism and Media senior Pierce Gentry embraces Joy Lambert, a resident of Hampton, Tennessee, who lost her home to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Gentry reported from rural communities in East Tennessee during the aftermath of the storm for WUOT 91.9fm and NPR. (Justin Hicks / KPR)

School of Journalism and Media senior and WUOT 91.9 FM reporter Pierce Gentry has earned second place in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program’s 2024-2025 Hearst Audio Competition.

“I can’t begin to express in words how it feels to be recognized on such a national scale and by such a prestigious organization,” Gentry … Read more “Journalism and Media Student Pierce Gentry Places Second in Hearst Audio Competition”

UT Faculty Research Shows Dramatic Shift In Ukrainian Attitudes After Invasion

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UT Faculty Research Shows Dramatic Shift In Ukrainian Attitudes After Invasion written by Randall Brown and originally published on the College of Arts & Sciences site.

A new study published by an interdisciplinary team of Tennessee researchers sheds light onto the dynamics of national unity experienced by Ukrainians following the 2022 Russian invasion.

While a nation would be expected to rally against an aggressive foreign army crossing its borders, researchers were surprised by the speed and magnitude of the unifying public attitude shift in Ukraine. They detail the findings in their paper, “Response to collective threat: Russian invasion unifies … Read more “UT Faculty Research Shows Dramatic Shift In Ukrainian Attitudes After Invasion”

Attorney Princess Rogers Named Volunteer 40 Under 40 Recipient

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Princess Rogers (‘09) can still remember the first time she learned what lawyers do.

She was in the third grade when her school invited various speakers to come speak for career day. Among the speakers was a lawyer who shared how his favorite thing about the profession is helping people.

That interaction inspired Rogers to pursue law as a profession as she, too, wanted to help people. Her innate compassion became a driving force that led to a successful career in law.

Her success and servant leadership has earned her a spot as part of this year’s Volunteer 40 Under … Read more “Attorney Princess Rogers Named Volunteer 40 Under 40 Recipient”

Princess Rogers named Volunteer 40 Under 40 recipient

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School of Journalism and Media alumna and 2025 Volunteer 40 Under 40 recipient Princess Rogers poses with her book From the Crushing to the Crown, which details how she coped with the murder of her father, relationship heartache, and career struggles.

Princess Rogers (‘09) can still remember the first time she learned what lawyers do.

She was in the third grade when her school invited various speakers to come speak for career day. Among the speakers was a lawyer who shared how his favorite thing about the profession is helping people.

That interaction inspired Rogers to pursue law as … Read more “Princess Rogers named Volunteer 40 Under 40 recipient”

School of Journalism and Media Students Produce Documentary on Vol Baseball Star Hunter Ensley

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A new student-produced documentary titled Hunter premiered February 13 on the Tennessee Athletics YouTube page.

The 45-minute documentary, produced as part of a School of Journalism and Media Video Sports Production and Performance class last fall, tells the inspiring story of Tennessee baseball outfielder Hunter Ensley and his journey from humble beginnings in Alaska and small-town West Tennessee to becoming a Tennessee baseball star during the program’s historic national championship run.

This film is a collaboration between the School of Journalism and Media, Tennessee Athletics and The Media Center at the College of Communication and Information.

“This shows the power … Read more “School of Journalism and Media Students Produce Documentary on Vol Baseball Star Hunter Ensley”

Scovel Hosting AEJMC Podcast on Sports Communication

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Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel presenting at the 2024 AEJMC Conference. Scovel is the host of a new AEJMC podcast on sports communication.

For School of Journalism and Media Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel, podcasts have been a useful resource during her academic career. So, she has always been interested in offering a similar service for others.

That opportunity has finally come with the launch of the new Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Sports Communication Interest Group podcast.

Scovel said she was inspired to do a podcast after seeing the great work the AEJMC History group was … Read more “Scovel Hosting AEJMC Podcast on Sports Communication”